Archive for News

I recently saw a Facebook post with a photo of “payments” from Spotify. I put quotes around “payments” because the picture was line item after line item of Spotify entries that were either .00 or .01 … yes, that’s NO payment or a penny per entry!! And the comments below this post were unanimous with numerous musicians – “I have the same problem”!!

Wonder why Spotify is involved in two LARGE lawsuits with both famous and independent musicians?!! Doesn’t take a rocket scientist (or a rockstar musician!!) to figure this out, right?!!

So, what can you do to help? Support your favorite musicians by buying their CDs or downloads, and plan to listen for years of enjoyment. I, along with thousands of other musicians, will be very grateful! Thanking you in advance …

I had an interesting thing happen at one of my Christmas gigs this past December. It was a very cold night and the parking lot was a sheet of ice … not exactly ideal conditions for moving a harp (or body)!!

After the event, I began packing my car. I had one more item – my harp! – to retrieve and put in my car before heading home. When I got to the church door, it was locked; my main contact was standing on the other side of the door (inside the church), trying to open the door, but the security system had already “set” and there was no budging! I was left sanding out in the cold. My client turned around to go get help and I heard a faint “click.” I tried the door and it opened!!

A miracle? Yes! And in that moment, I was reminded I am always protected.

The Israelian singer/songwriter, David Broza, said, “I don’t think I’m going to change the world; I’m going to change my world and this makes me happy.”

This makes so much sense, doesn’t it?! If each person does what s/he can to change each person’s world, think how much better the world will be! What are you doing this spring/summer to change your world?

Does harp music help you move into a reflective place to explore this question? If we can help, please don’t hesitate to contact us … part of our mission is to help the world continue to be a better place. Let us know how we can be of service to you…

My parents celebrated 60 years of love and wedded bliss on February 16, and my sister and I will be honoring them on May 26th. We are excited to share this important milestone with their friends, family and church community!

For their 50th wedding anniversary, my sister and I took them to Hawaii. We are aware of “life happening” in the past 10 years. For instance, my Dad’s Parkinson’s doesn’t allow him to travel now. While this is sad, we all realize he’s in a very different “season” of his life journey now. And it reminds me of a Joanna Macy quote, “The most radical thing any of us can do at this time is to be fully present to what is happening in our world.”

So, Mom and Dad, I am present to you, feeling so grateful for your love and commitment to each other, and to our family. Sending you both love at this special time…

I recently found this quote (that someone else found on an Irish headstone): “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

It reminded me of playing for two different holiday memorial services (before Thanksgiving and Christmas) for families who have lost children. Both of these events are witnessing heartbreak in action and a huge outpouring of LOVE. Very sad, yet beautiful and heartfelt – just as the quote says. It truly is always all about LOVE – all the time, isn’t it?

A couple months ago, I spoke to the new International Harp Therapy students. In preparation for our call, the host asked me to speak about how I came to the harp, how I got interested in harp therapy and how I currently “structure” my harp therapy business. It was an honor to be present with this group!

During my presentation, I talked about how I had been going through a challenging time at age 30, when I gave myself harp lessons to soothe my soul. (This is how I came to the harp.) And then when I took the harp therapy classes, I hated hospitals to the extent that I passed out every time I entered a hospital building! After I talked about both of these situations on the conference call, the host said to me, “You have really overcome a lot to be able to do harp therapy work!”

This was very affirming and validating, and it reminded me of this quote from an unknown source, “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” I feel blessed to have worked through lots of issues and situations to get to do the beautiful work that I am called to. Indeed, it has been an interesting journey to get to this beautiful destination!

Do you have a cell phone? Do you have it set so that it chimes at you every time you get an email, text or voice mail message? I do!

And when I was recently practicing my harp on a song that was in the key of “G,” I heard my cell phone “ding” and it was in the same key signature that I was playing in! What I found interesting about that is “G” is correlated to the throat chakra – all about communication! It makes me wonder if the cell phone company is very intentional about this or if they even have an awareness about it?? Either way, I love that my cell phone chimes to the note of excellent communication. When we connect via my cell phone, I’ll do my very best to be an excellent communicator!

I keynoted at the Healing Beyond Borders’ (HBB) international conference in August 2017. Their conference theme was “The Next Harmonic.” When I learned of this theme, I immediately thought, “They definitely need the harp for any discussion about harmonics … without any doubt, this is in my wheelhouse!!”

The harp is one of, if not the most, harmonic instruments. It is because the strings are “open,” with one pitch activating or ringing frequencies in the upper and lower octaves of the instrument. These harmonics or overtones are immediate as the sound board “kicks out” the vibrations to the listener. Paradoxical in nature, the harp’s harmonics are so gentle, soothing and comforting, but also very powerful, healing and spiritual.

From a historical perspective, harmonics were used in medieval and renaissance music. Until 1820, musicians learned about harmony, chord structure, inversions, modulations and progressions. It is likely that they listened closely to each other, played intuitively and followed the musical flow. Then, in 1820, music shifted as classical composers (Mozart, Beethoven, Grieg, Liszt, etc.) began writing music note-for-note, exactly as they wanted it played. Melody lines overtook the harmonic structure. And now, the HBB conference theme would suggest we are moving into whatever is next at a harmonic level to help the world evolve and elevate to a higher level of consciousness.

I believe this theme and experiential presentation resonated with the audience because they gave a standing ovation! I have had a few standing ovations in my speaking career, but this one felt extra special. Perhaps it was because it was also my birthday and it felt so honoring!!

As soon as I posted the last blog about music and violence, I realized I had more to say about this important topic/issue.

Whenever violence “hits” us, we are left wondering why this continues to happen in our beloved country. Is it violent TV, movies and video games? Is it gun laws (or lack thereof)? Is it deep unrest in the depths of our souls? Is it a mental health issue? Is it geo-political? Is it stress-related? Or something else???

And as a harpist, I can’t help but ask, “How can my music help? How can I be a part of the solution? How can I assist and/or facilitate the healing process through music?” When the harp is played with a peaceful intention, it is music to soothe the soul, comfort our contemplative core, calm our jaggled nerves, and move us into deep rest.

After each violent episode, I reflect, “What is my intention with my music?” My answer – to bring peace. To nurture your heart. To relax you. To relieve stress. To facilitate healing. I am honored to help you with your journey. To receive the gifts I offer, click to watch videos, order CDs and/or music devices, and purchase downloads. Many continued blessings to you …